That's a Wrap: 2023 Conference a Success!
The NCS⁴ is proud to announce the successful completion of their 14th Annual National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition. The conference theme, Level-Up, encourages our stakeholders to strive for continuous improvement as we work together to positively impact the safety and security industry. Conference attendance included more than 530 attendees and 72 exhibitors.
The conference provided an opportunity to discuss industry challenges, emerging threats, proven solutions, and technology advancements. Experienced professionals covered important topics such as facility security design, command center operations, vehicle intrusion mitigation, medical emergency planning, protecting against exploitive crimes, conducting exercises, and avoiding technology pitfalls.
In addition to keynote speakers, an awards luncheon, interactive panel discussions, and breakout sessions, attendees explored emerging technologies and networked with peers during the conference.
Planning for the 2024 Annual Conference is underway, with details to be released later this fall. The event will be held July 9-11, 2024, at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR EXHIBITORS AND SPONSORS FOR MAKING THE EVENT POSSIBLE!
Please email Sara Priebe at sara.priebe@usm.edu to be contacted about the 2024 Conference scheduled for July 9-11 in Phoenix.
Share Your Thoughts on Lightning Preparedness
As part of a needs assessment, the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) is reviewing lightning preparedness across the sports and entertainment industries. Your participation in this short survey will assist the NCS⁴ in identifying gaps and determining how best to support lightning safety planning, design, and implementation efforts.
Dr. Stacey Hall Featured on Axis Podcast, Connect
Dr. Stacey A. Hall, NCS⁴ Executive Director and Professor of Sports Management, joins hosts James Marcella and Scott Dunn of Axis Communications on a podcast titled “Assembling the Right Team: How Sports Management is Tackling Physical & Cyber Security.“
The podcast examines how a coalition of experts can generate new ideas and strengthen performance; how diverse partnerships can help you better understand the threat environment, mitigate risks, and identify capability gaps; and how education, research, and outreach serve as pillars for effective safety and security. The podcast also explores how venues (and customer needs) are changing, threats are evolving, and new tech is emerging.
Read the Summer 2023 issue of GAMEDAY SECURITY
The articles in this issue cover vehicle ramming mitigation, stadium security design, and the utilization of facial technology solutions in sports venues.
Scott Ashworth, an NCS⁴ CSSP, Publishes Article in International Security Journal
Scott Ashworth, CSSP, Head of Safety and Security at Overtime Elite, shares his thoughts on “Safeguarding Communities and Creating Memorable Experiences“ in the latest issue of the International Security Journal. Ashworth is a Certified Sport Security Professional (CSSP) through the NCS⁴. The article focuses on the role venue management staff play in protecting fans and properties and how the collective work of staff, law enforcement, emergency personnel, and others helps maintain safe and secure events. The article begins on page 54.
ICYMI: New Research Seminar Series Now Available
A new Research Seminar Series is now available on demand. The seminar “Lightning Safety for Outdoor Venues” is presented by Charlie Woodrum, Warning Coordination Meteorologist. This presentation highlights lightning incident statistics, myths, safe and unsafe structures, and sample public address announcements. In addition, Mr. Woodrum will take venue managers through the process of creating a lightning safety plan with the National Weather Service. The modernized Lightning Safety Toolkit for Outdoor Venues is now available for venue managers to address the risk of a fatal lightning strike in high-capacity outdoor stadiums and venues. Click the link below to watch the seminar.
ICYMI: Dr. Stacey Hall Publishes Textbook
Dr. Stacey A. Hall, NCS⁴ Executive Director, recently announced the release of a new textbook in collaboration with longtime colleagues Dr. Walter Cooper and Dr. Jim McGee, Ph.D. “Security and Risk Assessment for Facility and Event Managers” is a new resource for practitioners in facility and event security, as well as for students taking courses in sport management, risk management, and security management. Dr. Hall thanks the Human Kinetics team for all their support and guidance (and patience).
Congratulations to Dr. Hall and her colleagues on publishing this valuable resource!
NCS⁴ eLearning Options
The NCS⁴ eLearning platform, NCS⁴ LEARN, provides opportunities for individuals and organizations to access asynchronous professional development opportunities. Current offerings include the following:
- Venue Staff Training
- Crowd Manager Fundamentals
- Senior Leader Course: Sports and Entertainment Security
Please visit the website or contact us at NCS4Learn@usm.edu if you have any questions or would like to inquire about bulk registration.
Click one of the links above or the button below for details or to register.
Fundamentals of Crowd Safety Course Offered Online
NCS⁴ and GKStill International have partnered to jointly offer the Fundamentals of Crowd Safety online E-Learning course to address capability gaps in crowd behavior and sciences. Professor Dr. G. Keith Still, Visiting Professor of Crowd Science at the University of Suffolk, developed this certified, accredited course. The course offers an 8-hour online interactive experience designed to teach the essential elements of crowd safety and crowd risk analysis. The course is especially valuable to event organizers, as it ensures that those who complete it are compliant with the NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code — specifically, the areas of section 12 of the code that require a venue to provide a crowd manager trained in crowd management techniques for occupancies exceeding 1000.
Upcoming Events Scheduled
Watch for details coming soon!
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